4 star 40 tail wheel assembly
08-07-2005, 02:40 PM
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4 star 40 tail wheel assembly
I was wondering if anybody could tell me what the best tail wheel assembly to use is. I have tried the stock assembly that came with the kit and that was definitely not sufficient with attaching it to the rudder. I then bought one and tried one from sullivan. It used a spring that attached to the rudder, but the wheel was mounted to the fuselage. If anybody could maybe give me some advice on this, I would really appreciate it.
08-09-2005, 01:10 PM
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RE: 4 star 40 tail wheel assembly
Another vote for the Sullivans...I've got one on each of my 40-size and 60-size four stars...I also had [:@] one on my Hog Bipe....
08-10-2005, 12:49 AM
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RE: 4 star 40 tail wheel assembly
I started out with the stock installation on my 40 size, but the wire that goes into the rudder kept "popping" out the side of the rudder...taking a chunk of the rudder with it and making steering really ugly!
I tried glassing the base of the rudder, but it didn't seem to help... I eventually gave up and tried the Sullivan TW mount, which seems a little more damage resistant off a rough field.
I tried glassing the base of the rudder, but it didn't seem to help... I eventually gave up and tried the Sullivan TW mount, which seems a little more damage resistant off a rough field.
08-10-2005, 08:21 PM
#9
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RE: 4 star 40 tail wheel assembly
I've built three 4*40's. THe first had the Sullivan unit, the second 2 used the stock tailwheel assembly per instructions.
The sullivan is a very nice assembly, I used it in my first 4*40. Be aware that it will add weight that you'll have to counterbalance in the engine compartment. If you do use it, use a very stiff spring or solid wire into the rudder. In a cross wind, the springs aren't enough to overcome the side loads of the wind while you taxi out. That's just something to be aware of.
The 2nd and 3rd built with the stock tailwheel assembly. No problems at all. The tail isn't on the ground all that long anyway to let vibration or steering be a problem for the hinges. My 2nd and 3rd are still flying just fine.
You might want to beef up where the stringers meet the former behind the 'headrest'. That's a weak area, though easily fixed if you have a hard landing. Also, use some pine or other hardwood to beef up the threaded blocks where the wing bolts into the fuse. The balsa blocks in there just aren't strong enough...
You're going to love this plane.
Just my $.02
Bob
The sullivan is a very nice assembly, I used it in my first 4*40. Be aware that it will add weight that you'll have to counterbalance in the engine compartment. If you do use it, use a very stiff spring or solid wire into the rudder. In a cross wind, the springs aren't enough to overcome the side loads of the wind while you taxi out. That's just something to be aware of.
The 2nd and 3rd built with the stock tailwheel assembly. No problems at all. The tail isn't on the ground all that long anyway to let vibration or steering be a problem for the hinges. My 2nd and 3rd are still flying just fine.
You might want to beef up where the stringers meet the former behind the 'headrest'. That's a weak area, though easily fixed if you have a hard landing. Also, use some pine or other hardwood to beef up the threaded blocks where the wing bolts into the fuse. The balsa blocks in there just aren't strong enough...
You're going to love this plane.
Just my $.02
Bob
